The 16-year-old considered the experience valuable despite the results

June 2, 2017

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Friday wasn’t the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut 16-year-old Todd Gilliland wanted, but he’ll take some lessons from Dover and move on.

The third-generation racer was just outside of the top 15 on lap 116 when a wheel broke loose on his Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 46 Toyota Tundra, sending him hard into the turn two wall. The damage ended his run and he was ultimately credited with a 20th-place finish.

"I think we had some loose lug nuts there," Gilliland said. "I had a little bit of a vibration to start that run. I didn’t know what it was. I’ve never had a loose wheel. That’s something I’m going to learn from. That’s why we’re here. I’m going to be better my next race."

Gilliland spent some time in the top 10 as the various race strategies played out, providing the current NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West contender an opportunity to race near the front of the field. From that perspective, the Bar Harbor 200 was not a disappointment.

"I think it was still a success, you know? Starting on the front row two times, messing up the first restart a little bit and being able to redeem myself on that second one, it’s just a roller coaster of emotions," he said. "I still couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this Pedigree Toyota KBM team."

His next start will come on June 17 at Gateway Motorsports Park just outside of St. Louis.